Wire Me This

09/28/2009 9:42 PM -  Mike Woellert

Here’s to hoping your week 3 was victorious and successful.  Some guys emerged from out of nowhere (like Lynell Hamilton) and some others didn’t pan out.  Week 4 is upon us and the beginning of the bye weeks (Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Philadelphia) so if you’re a little shallow on the roster, you might need to hit the wire for a replacement.  Here’s this week’s edition of Wire Me This…

Running Back

1. Glen Coffee (SF): Everybody runs on Dunkin’, so head out to the wire for his cup of joe.  Frank Gore suffered an ankle injury that could knock him out for multiple weeks.  Coffee is the backup to get for Gore and he has a very nice matchup in week 4 against the St. Louis Rams (who have been bad against…everything).  Gore owners will need to use their waiver priority if they don’t already own him.

2. Fred Taylor (NEP): Taylor showed that he has some gas left in the tank.  He carried the ball 21 times and had a score.  Taylor looks to enjoy getting the majority of the carries now that Laurence Maroney has suffered a thigh injury.  If Taylor is still on your wire, go get him (although this week’s matchup is a bit unfavorable against the Ravens).

3. Ladell Betts (WAS): Clinton Portis is breaking down with injury and the effects of his workload looks to be catching up to him.  He couldn’t get anything done against the Lions.  He might be losing his grip on 3rd down duties but with Portis’s injury history, he could be in line to see some action.  Portis owners will want to get Betts.

4. Jerome Harrison (CLE): Harrison made the most of his opportunity as the starting tailback.  He should be added for depth and could be a bye-week filler but if you have other options, please use those first.  However, Harrison is a good add in PPR leagues as he’s often targeted in the pass game (7 targets against the Ravens).

5. Lynell Hamilton (NO): Mike Bell or Pierre Thomas owners will want to have him on hand.  Mike Bell is going to miss a few more weeks and Pierre Thomas looked good against the Bills as his number was called often in the 2nd half.  At this point, he should be added for insurance purposes.

Wide Receivers

1. Bryant Johnson (DET): He should be available in most leagues but he looks to be emerging as the WR2 in Detroit.  In week 2, he didn’t have a very good target:reception percentage (11 targets/4 receptions) but he makes a good bench option and depth for the upcoming bye weeks.  Calvin Johnson is still the man in Detroit but Bryant looks to be emerging as another target in the Motor City.

2. Keenan Burton (STL): Laurent Robinson is out for the year with a broken leg.  Which means, Keenan Burton is the WR2 by the two greatest words in the English language, default.  Kyle Boller replaced Marc Bulger and was actually able to move the offense.  He received 5 targets and should see more now that Robinson is out.  The Rams have a decent matchup against the 49′ers so let’s hope that Boller can move the ball.

3. Pierre Garcon (IND): He’s got some speed and is making some big plays in Anthony Gonzalez’s absence.  Two touchdowns in his last 2 games, he’s doing a good job of beating defenders with his speed.  With Gonzalez on the shelf for the next few weeks, you could do worse than a WR2 with Peyton Manning throwing him the ball.

4. Sydney Rice (MIN): He’s someone to keep an eye on as the season goes on.  Rice is getting redzone looks and was targeted 7 times by Favre.  If he can continue to catch Favre’s eye and show he’s dependabe, he could be worth an add in deeper leagues.  He also has some upside if you believe the 3rd year WR theory.

5. Andre Caldwell (CIN): He’s become a late in the game option and go to guy for Carson Palmer.  Caldwell received 9 targets and seems to be quietly taking over the WR3 spot over Chris Henry.  Caldwell was a deep sleeper heading into 2009 and if continues his clutch play, Palmer could look to him even more.